NHS.UK describes Psychosis as a mental health problem that causes people to perceive or interpret things differently from those around them and typically involves hallucinations or delusions.

What causes Psychosis?

It is now clear that occasional psychotic phenomena are quite common, occurring in 10-20% of teenagers and young adults. These would only be considered a disorder or illness when they were common, severe, causing distress or otherwise interfering with someone’s daily life.

What causes Psychosis?

Predisposing or vulnerability factors include genetics (family history) and environmental events such as early life psychological trauma or infections involving the nervous system. Triggering or precipitating factors can include drug use or extreme stress. In many people, particularly those where the psychotic experiences do not cause distress, causal factors are not obvious.

Treatment and getting help for others.

Typically early treatment for psychotic disorders shows better results in the long term and so it is important that you contact your GP for further medical advice. A comprehensive list of GP’s in the local area can be found here. Nowadays, we consider conditions such as schizophrenia as outcomes of psychotic states that, had they been treated early, may have resolved.

Often people are fully aware that something very odd is happening and can be distressed, depressed or anxious early in the course of an evolving psychotic disorder. Sometimes people with Psychosis may not be immediately aware that their actions and thought process is unusual. If you find yourself concerned about someone and feel that their actions may place them at risk of harm then you can either call their GP, call 999 or take them directly to the nearest A&E (if they agree). Addenbrookes Hospital has a dedicated Psychiatric team within A&E.

For further information on Psychosis please click here

Alternatively you may wish to access the and Support Service webpages.